To help reduce incidents of distracted driving in Pennsylvania, the House Transportation Committee recently endorsed House Bill 1684, which would prohibit the use of hand-held mobile telephones and similar devices, except with the use of hands-free accessories, while operating a motor vehicle.

Under the bill, all motorists ages 18 and older would be prohibited from using a hand-held phone while the automobile is in motion. Additionally, drivers under the age of 18 would be prohibited from using both hand-held and hands-free devices. The bill would also make it clear that if an individual is holding his or her device while the car is in motion, he or she is presumed to be using it.

The first offense for violating this law would be $50 and two points to a driver’s license and $100 for a second or each subsequent offense.

The northeastern region of the United States – including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Vermont, New Hampshire and West Virginia – all ban hand-held cell phone use. In total, 16 states ban hand-held cell phone use.